A Note From Our Interim Rector
About 12 years ago, Kay and I walked the Camino de Santiago…the way of St. James… 450 miles across Spain, from Pamplona to Compostela. I was on sabbatical. It was a pilgrimage for us, walking 12-20 miles a day… starting at dawn, praying as we walked, and ending mid afternoon, with an evening Eucharist at a church or monastery where we were staying the night. A part of this pilgrimage, was a ritual of carrying a stone, or several stones, which represented a “burden” we may have be carrying. About 3 quarters of the walk, there was a cross, with a mountain of rocks surrounding it… where pilgrims throughout the ages, had laid down their rock, and left their burden at the foot of the cross. For the rest of the journey, your pack was a little lighter…
We are beginning a pilgrimage here at St. James. As your Interim Rector, we will be walking together in this time of transition. My goal as your Interim Rector will be to help you in this transition by 1) leading meaningful worship; and 2) providing pastoral care. As a retired priest, I am not allowed to work more than 20 hours a week and stay on my pension. I will be in town from Saturday through Monday and hope to be able to visit those who would like a pastoral visit… as well as conduct worship services. However, I will always be available for any pastoral emergencies. Please feel free to call me on my cell: 256-493-4046. Or feel free to stop by the rectory (if we are in town) for a visit, to share a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Kay and I would love to meet you for a meal when we are in town. Let’s do lunch!
Hopefully, on this part of the pilgrimage of transition, if you have a rock, or a burden you need to lay down, you will be able to lay it at the foot of the cross. In doing so, you will be able to celebrate the past, and look forward to the future, knowing that God is with us all the way.
Please let me know if I can help you as we walk together.
Bob +
The Rev. Robert H. Blackwell
The Rev. Robert “Bob” Blackwell was born and raised in Decatur, Alabama, where he married his childhood sweetheart “Kay”. They have been married for 48 years, and have 3 married children and 6 grandchildren. Bob is a graduate of Auburn University, and Nashotah Theological Seminary (Class of ’84). He has served as a parish priest in the Diocese of Alabama for the past 42 years, as well as being a missionary in Damascus, Syria where he served All Saints Episcopal Church for the Diocese of Jerusalem. After retirement, 12 years ago, he has served as Interim Rector at Christ Episcopal Church, Fairfield, AL, Christ Church, Pensacola, FL., The Episcopal Church on Edisto, South Carolina, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Auburn, AL AND Epiphany, Guntersville. He is also enjoying time with his grandchildren, traveling, writing and eating out! Bob and Kay have made their home in Cullman, Alabama.
